Physics 20 Unit 1: Kinematics and Velocity Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the foundational concepts of Physics 20 Unit 1, including branches of motion, scalar vs. vector quantities, graph interpretation, and kinematics equations.

Kinematics

A branch of physics that describes the motion of objects without looking at the cause of the motion.

Dynamics

A branch of physics that relates the motion of objects to the forces which cause them.

Scalar

A quantity that has magnitude (a number value) but no direction, such as time, mass, or distance.

Vector

A measurement that has both magnitude and direction, such as velocity, force, or displacement.

Displacement

A vector quantity representing the change in position calculated by taking the final position minus the initial position, expressed as $\Delta d = d_f - d_i$.

Distance

A scalar quantity describing the length of the path taken to move from one position to another, regardless of direction.

Delta ($\Delta$)

A Greek letter used in physics formulas to mean "a change in."

Average Velocity

The total displacement divided by the total time for a trip ($v = \frac{d}{t}$), representing the overall velocity rather than a specific moment.

Speed

A scalar quantity representing the rate at which an object moves, lacking direction.

Uniform Motion

Motion where the velocity of an object is always the same (constant velocity) and the object is not accelerating.

Instantaneous Velocity

The velocity of an object at one specific moment of time, such as a reading on a speedometer.

Slope of a d-t graph

The physical property of a displacement-time graph that is equal to the velocity of the object.

Flat horizontal line (d-t graph)

Indicates the object has stopped and its velocity is zero.

Curved line (d-t graph)

Indicates that the object is accelerating.

Slope of a v-t graph

The physical property of a velocity-time graph that is equal to the acceleration of the object.

Area under the line (v-t graph)

The property of a velocity-time graph used to calculate the object's displacement ($d = v \times t$).

Acceleration

A vector quantity that measures the rate of change in the velocity of an object, expressed as $a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$.

Origin

A reference point or starting line used to measure the location of participants or objects.

Position

A vector quantity defining the straight-line distance and direction of an object from the origin.

Acceleration due to gravity ($g$)

The constant acceleration of any object in the absence of air resistance, valued at $-9.81\,m/s^2$ on Earth.

Gee's

A measurement used to compare a felt acceleration to regular gravity ($1\,gee = 9.81\,m/s^2$).

Air resistance

A type of friction that causes different objects to fall at different rates in real-life conditions.